In psychiatry and psychology, devaluation is an opposing protective mechanism to idealization. It is used when a person describes himself, an item, or another individual as utterly defective, worthless, or as possessing exaggerated negative attributes.
Because a person with BPD often has no middle ground, idealization may swiftly move into devaluation. When a person feels challenged, intimidated, or disillusioned, they might rapidly depreciate the individuals they formerly admired. In lieu of coping with the stress of ambiguity, devaluation serves to reduce the discomfort generated by ambiguity.
People who experience these cycles are often perplexed by the abrupt transition from idealization to devaluation. This pattern may make it challenging for those with BPD to sustain connections with others.
Splitting as a Defensive Strategy
Splitting is the inability to maintain two contradictory ideas, beliefs, or emotions. People with BPD tend to perceive people in black-and-white, all-or-nothing terms.
This self-protective defensive mechanism tries to assist individuals with BPD in preventing relationship-related harm. By identifying someone as "good," they may participate in relationships despite the emotional hazards. If they feel threatened, they might label the person or the connection as "bad" and reject them immediately.
As with many other coping systems, a person with BPD may be unaware of their devaluation and idealization. Splitting is a subconscious defense mechanism against perceived stress.
Under stress, it is difficult to retain an integrated perspective of the positive and negative aspects of a person's character. The activation of the amygdala and prefrontal lobe during these experiences, according to some researchers, may contribute to a portion of the difficulty for individuals with borderline personality disorder.
Devaluation is not exclusive to borderline personality disorder patients. It is observable in various personality disorders, including antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Occasionally, idealization is also observed in narcissistic personality disorder, particularly toward the self or the treating therapist. Borderline personality disorder is typically characterized by splitting, or the rapid alternation between idealization and devaluation.
